Six Abington High School students – four recent graduates and two seniors – traveled to Saint Petersburg, Russia this past summer to study the Russian language. They left for Russia on June 18, just two days after graduation, to spend four weeks studying at the Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University. They studied the language alongside students from Amsterdam, Italy, France and Japan, earning six college credits.

The group included 2017 graduates Yelena Cochrane, Anissa Kunchick, Garret Mackay and Michael Merriman and seniors Arjun Iyengar and Michael Bushko. The trip was coordinated through The University of Scranton by Russian professor Konstantin Lyavdansky and part of it was chaperoned by 2010 Abington Heights graduate David Cochrane, who spent a year in Moscow as part of his undergraduate studies at Dickinson College.

The students spent three days in Moscow touring Red Square, Lenin’s Tomb, churches and other historical sites. In Saint Petersburg, they visited the Hermitage, palaces, churches, and other cultural sites. They saw a ballet at the famous Marinsky Theater and experienced White Nights, the time of nearly round-the-clock daylight. They also tried many traditional Russian meals.

On the steps outside of the University of St. Petersburg, Russia, are, from left, first row, Yelena Cochrane and Anissa Kunchick. Second row, Garret Mackay and Michael Merriman. Third row, Michael Bushko and Arjun Iyengar.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_ABJ-Russia-1.jpg.optimal.jpgOn the steps outside of the University of St. Petersburg, Russia, are, from left, first row, Yelena Cochrane and Anissa Kunchick. Second row, Garret Mackay and Michael Merriman. Third row, Michael Bushko and Arjun Iyengar. Submitted photos

The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_ABJ-Russia-2.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia. Submitted photos

Smolny Cathedral in S. Petersburg, Russia.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_ABJ-Russia-3.jpg.optimal.jpgSmolny Cathedral in S. Petersburg, Russia. Submitted photos

A view of a drawbridge in St. Petersburg from a river boat.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_ABJ-Russia-4.jpg.optimal.jpgA view of a drawbridge in St. Petersburg from a river boat. Submitted photos

From left, Anissa Kunchick, Yelena Cochrane, Michael Merriman and Garret Mackay pose in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_ABJ-Russia-5.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Anissa Kunchick, Yelena Cochrane, Michael Merriman and Garret Mackay pose in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow. Submitted photos

Michael Bushko and Arjun Iyengar pose in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_ABJ-Russia-6.jpg.optimal.jpgMichael Bushko and Arjun Iyengar pose in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral. Submitted photos

In front of the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow, are, from left, first row, Garret Mackay, Michael Merriman, Anissa Kunchick, Yelena Cochrane and Michael Bushko. Second row, Arjun Iyengar.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_ABJ-Russia-7.jpg.optimal.jpgIn front of the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow, are, from left, first row, Garret Mackay, Michael Merriman, Anissa Kunchick, Yelena Cochrane and Michael Bushko. Second row, Arjun Iyengar. Submitted photos

By Elizabeth Baumeister

ebaumeister@timesleader.com

Reach Elizabeth Baumeister at 570-704-3943 or on Twitter @AbingtonJournal.